Crufts Working and Pastoral Day

There is always something very special about Crufts. It's tough for the exhibitors and for the dogs but there is always such a buzz about the place - and since it moved to the NEC in Birmingham, it's much more accessible and fun.

It is the perfect place for photographers and they were out in force, with gear you can only dream of.

I took lots of photos too, of course, and I had plenty of the cliched ones (over groomed Old English on a table while the owner slept, St Bernard totally bored) but I finally chose this amazing Finnish Lapphund bitch.

I think I like Finnish Lapphunds because the breeders and exhibitors say that,like cats, they need intellectual stimulation. They aren't usually too noisy. They're tough - well, they work hard in Finland.....In this case "lapp" means the race and has nothing to do with "lapdog" !!!!!

This was the little lady I would most like to have taken home.